Murat Kuloglu

Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Malondialdehyde Levels in Patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

To examine the importance of free radicals in the pathogenesis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), we aimed to evaluate whether malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT)] activity levels were associated with OCD. The patients were divided into two subgroups according to whether DSM-IV major depressive disorder (MDD) was accompanied (OCD + MDD) or not (OCD – MDD). The MDA and antioxidant enzyme levels both in patients and controls were determined. SOD activity levels were significantly higher in the OCD + MDD group compared with the control and the OCD – MDD group. Although the OCD – MDD group had slightly higher SOD activity levels as compared with the controls, the difference was not statistically significant. GSH-Px activity levels were statistically significantly higher in both groups compared with controls. Likewise, there was a significant difference in GSH-Px activity levels between the OCD + MDD and OCD – MDD group. CAT activity levels were slightly higher in the OCD + MDD group compared with the OCD – MDD and control group. MDA levels in both groups were significantly higher than in controls. In addition, the difference in MDA levels between both groups was statistically significant. In conclusion, our results suggest that OCD is associated with free radicals and that it may be a heterogeneous subtype including some biological indications of anxiety and affective disorders. More comprehensive and detailed studies are needed to decipher the exact role of free radicals in OCD.

Serum Leptin and Cholesterol Values in Suicide Attempters

In our previous study, we demonstrated that suicide attempters had statistically significant lower leptin and cholesterol levels compared with healthy controls. In keeping with our previous report regarding lower serum cholesterol and leptin levels in suicide attempters compared with healthy controls, the relationship between cholesterol and leptin, and ghrelin, we aimed to evaluate serum total cholesterol and ghrelin levels in suicide attempters. In the present study, 30 patients with suicide attempts (aged 18–47 years) and the same number of healthy controls were compared with regard to serum total cholesterol and ghrelin levels. The mean cholesterol level of the patients was significantly lower than that of the controls. On the other hand, the suicide attempters had significantly higher ghrelin levels compared with the controls. The results suggest that suicide attempts seem to be associated with decreased serum cholesterol and higher ghrelin values.

Antioxidant Enzyme and Malondialdehyde Levels in Patients with Panic Disorder

There is evidence of an etiopathogenetic role of free radicals (FRs) in some neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the activity levels of some antioxidant enzymes [glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)] and malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation, were associated with panic disorder (PD). Twenty patients diagnosed with PD and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. A clinical evaluation and measurements of GSH-Px SOD, CAT and MDA were performed. Additionally, all patients were assessed by the Panic Agoraphobia Scale (PAS). The mean GSH-Px, SOD and MDA levels of the patient group were significantly higher than those of the controls. There was a significant positive correlation between PAS scores and GSH-Px, SOD and MDA levels and between the duration of illness and SOD, CAT and MDA levels in the patient group. In conclusion, our results suggest that FRs may be involved in PD.

Serum Leptin and Cholesterol Levels in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Low cholesterol levels have been reported in patients with manic episodes. Leptin seems to be strongly associated with lipid metabolism. In the present study, therefore, serum total cholesterol and leptin levels were compared in 16 patients with manic episodes, 16 with bipolar I disorder in full remission and 16 healthy controls. The serum total cholesterol and leptin levels were measured and Young Mania Rating (YMRS) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scales (HAM-D) were administered for each subject. Both the patients with manic episodes and the patients with bipolar I disorder in full remission had markedly low serum cholesterol and leptin levels compared with controls, though the difference was more obvious in patients with manic episodes. In addition, there were negative correlations between YMRS scores and serum cholesterol or leptin levels in the patients with manic episodes. Our results suggest that the patients with manic episodes and those with bipolar I disorder in full remission seem to be associated with decreased serum cholesterol and leptin levels.

Antioxidant enzyme and malondialdehyde values in social phobia before and after citalopram treatment

Abstract.A growing body of evidence indicates that oxidative stress is involved in the etiopathogenesis of some psychiatric disorders. In our previous study, we have found that social phobia (SP) seems to be associated with elevated antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a lipid peroxidation product. In the present investigation, we sought to determine whether the increased radical burden observed in patients with SP would be attenuated with alleviation of symptoms. Thirty–nine patients diagnosed with generalized SP and 39 healthy controls participated in this study. The measurements of MDA, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) were performed before and after a period of 8 weeks of citalopram treatment. In this period, the patients received citalopram but controls did not. The initial dose of citalopram was 20mg, with 20 mg increments occurring every 2 weeks, to a maximum dose of 60mg, with the mean daily dose of 38.9 ± 13.3 mg/day. All patients were evaluated by using Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). The mean MDA, SOD, GSH-Px and CAT levels of the patient group at baseline were significantly higher than those of controls. Antioxidant enzymes and MDA levels decreas significantly through citalopram treatment. Significant and positive correlation was observed between decrease in the total LSAS scores, and SOD or CAT levels. In conclusion, our results suggest that, in patients with SP, subchronic treatment with citalopram may decrease antioxidant enzymes and MDA values and that they are state markers of SP because they return to normal values with treatment.

High serum leptin levels in depressive disorders with atypical features

Abstract  Leptin is thought to be related to vegetative symptoms of depression such as alterations in food intake and weight. Fifty‐seven drug‐free patients and 26 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. We have found that the serum leptin levels were higher in patients with atypical depressive disorder than in controls, but not in patients with nonatypical depressive disorder, however, body mass index, age, and gender were not significantly different between these groups. Probably, these findings seem to be associated with some features of the atypical depressive disorders such as weight gain, a result of hyperphagia.

Serum leptin and cholesterol values in violent and non-violent suicide attempters.

Earlier studies have linked lipid metabolism to suicide and impulsive-aggressive behaviors. We previously reported that suicide attempters had significantly lower leptin and cholesterol levels than controls. Since lower cholesterol levels have been related to violence alone, we decided to evaluate serum total cholesterol and leptin levels in violent and non-violent suicide attempters. In the present study, 19 violent, 16 non-violent suicide attempters, and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were compared for serum total cholesterol and leptin levels. Violent suicide attempters had significantly lower total cholesterol and leptin levels compared with those with non-violent suicide attempts. Our results suggest that low serum cholesterol and leptin levels are related to the following two dimensions of suicide attempts: suicidality and violence.

Serum Cholesterol and Leptin Levels in Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder

The association between low or lowered cholesterol and impulsivity, aggressive behaviours and suicide remains controversial. In the present study, cholesterol and leptin levels of patients with borderline personality disorder in whom impulsivity, aggressive behaviours and suicide attempts are clearly established have been compared with those of healthy controls. The study group consisted of 16 patients with borderline personality disorder and 16 healthy controls. All patients were assessed with the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS), Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Fasting serum cholesterol and leptin levels were measured. The mean cholesterol and leptin levels of the patient group were significantly lower than those of the controls. Likewise, the patients with current suicidal thoughts and a history of suicide attempt had statistically significantly lower cholesterol and leptin levels compared with the patients without those features. There was an inverse correlation between both cholesterol and leptin levels, and impulsivity as determined by the BIS or aggression as determined by the BDHI, but no correlation between both cholesterol and leptin levels and the HDRS was found in the patients. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the patients with borderline personality disorder have lower cholesterol and leptin levels than healthy controls. Low serum cholesterol and leptin levels are associated with all dimensions of the disorder – impulsivity, aggression and suicidality – but are not associated with the presence and the severity of comorbid depression.

Antioxidant enzyme and malondialdehyde levels in patients with social phobia

A growing body of reports have indicated that free radicals are involved in the etiopathogenesis of some neuropsychiatric disorders. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate whether antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase; SOD, glutathione peroxidase; GSH-Px, and catalase; CAT) activity levels and malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation, were associated with social phobia (SP). Eighteen patients diagnosed with SP and 18 healthy controls were enrolled. A clinical evaluation and measurements of MDA, SOD, GSH-Px and CAT were performed. Additionally, all patients were assessed with the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAC). The mean MDA, SOD, GSH-Px and CAT levels in the patient group were significantly higher than those in the control group. There was a positive correlation between LSAC scores and MDA, SOD, GSH-Px and LSAC levels, and between the duration of illness, and MDA, SOD and CAT levels in the patient group. In conclusion, our results suggest that there may be a relationship between increased antioxidant enzyme levels and MDA, and SP.

Weight Gain and Serum Leptin Levels in Patients on Lithium Treatment

Weight gain is a frequent adverse effect associated with lithium use. Leptin is an adipocyte hormone, regulating food intake and energy balance providing the hypothalamus with information on the amount of body fat. Therefore, we planned to evaluate whether lithium administration was associated with weight gain, and leptin levels. The study consisted of 15 consecutive inpatients with bipolar I disorder according to DSM-III-R. The fasting serum leptin levels were measured. The patients were evaluted at baseline and at the eighth week according to the body mass index, weight, Young Mania Rating (YMRS) and Hamilton Depression Rating (HAM-D) scales, and serum leptin levels. With respect to the leptin levels, a significant difference was observed after lithium treatment. There was a significant positive correlation between the changes in leptin levels and the duration of illness. The change in total YMRS scores correlated with change in leptin levels and that in weight. In conclusion, our result suggest that leptin may be associated with lithium-induced weight gain.